ATL’s Most Inspiring Stories

The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.

Robert Herbertson

Regency Art & Frame is a family-owned and operated business that started back in California around 1975 as an Auction house selling fine art.. Over the years, we have moved into Sports, Movie, and Rock and roll memorabilia. Always a frame shop open to the public and specializing in working with non-profits to maximise their efforts by helping with Silent Auctions or Live Auctions… Read more>>

Ben Reardon

I have always been a fan of hot sauce. I accidentally created the Benny Sauce Original Heat on my day off over four years ago. I never did it for the money, I just wanted to create a product to share with friends and family. It has also allowed me to get more exposure and my name out there. Read more>>

Nikita Fernandez

Glow and Haze started as a small idea that grew out of my love for creating handmade bracelets. I’ve always enjoyed making things that help people express themselves, so I began experimenting with different designs and styles. At first, it was just a hobby for friends and family, but as more people started noticing and complimenting my work, I realized it had real potential. Read more>>

Derrick Standifer

I flunked out of two colleges before I finally found my purpose ironically in education. What changed was my mindset. I realized that life, like a Rubik’s Cube, is full of twists and turns, and the key isn’t avoiding the challenges, but learning how to solve them. Read more>>

John Hinkel

Roswell Firelabs started because our founders realized there was no community space in Roswell that brings people who love making things together! Read more>>

Dr. Michael Eggleston

I have a bit of a long story but I will be brief. I had a background in massage therapy and athletic training. When I was getting my masters I thought I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. Read more>>

Wydney Viola Thomas

I studied Fashion Marketing and Management at The Art Institute of Hollywood in my hometown of Los Angeles. After graduating, I moved to London, England, where I launched my own line of leggings that were sold both online and in boutiques. Read more>>

Susan Pinson

I began serving on the ministry staff of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church in 2008, after completing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School and a Master of Social Work in gerontology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Read more>>

Nylah Mason

My name is Nylah. I began modeling at the age of 9, starting with my first casting and runway show. I still remember feeling nervous, but I loved every moment. That experience showed me that modeling isn’t just something I can do — it’s something I truly enjoy and feel passionate about. Read more>>

Dustin Lewis

We’re Dustin Lewis and Matt Lewis—partners in life and in work. Our story has always been about people and place. Dustin came to real estate through the creative world—acting and coaching—where listening and trust are everything. Matt’s path ran through leadership and compliance; he loves clear systems that make big moments feel manageable. Read more>>

Mike Rae Anderson

I found my gift as a wrter/Actor/Producer during a dark time of my life. As a teenager I found myself in jail facing the Death penalty plus life plus 60 years due to a serious of unfortunate events. I took a plea bargain for life to escape being executed. Read more>>

Cymone Jeans

I started doing hair because it came naturally to me. I’ve always had an eye for beauty, detail, and transformation. What started in my kitchen turned into a real brand. Over the years I put in the work, learning new techniques, investing in my craft, and staying consistent even when it wasn’t easy. Read more>>

Stacey Elgin

I believe that hard work and a little luck is very important to be successful. I was a tv News Anchor and reporter for 25 years. I worked hard. I moved around the southeast working for local TV Stations. I was a morning anchor in Raleigh and Greensboro, North CArolina. I started my TV career in Savannah, GA. Read more>>

Kerisa Harriott

I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, to a mother who was a cosmetologist and a father who served as a police officer. I grew up a shy young girl from humble beginnings and spent most of my pre-teen through adolescent years with my father after my parents separated. Read more>>

Joseph Cortes

I have spent my career working at the intersection of advocacy, policy, and politics. From leading advocacy efforts across the country and in the Southeast, to working for candidates for elected office, or helping nonprofits achieve their mission, I have always had a passion for helping people and movements succeed and tell their story. Read more>>

Stephen Mancuso

I’ve always been creative. As a kid, I liked drawing and painting. And my mom always made me dance with her. So after barely getting through high school, I was planning on leaving Buffalo to become a dancer on Broadway. Read more>>

KIYOKA NISHIKAWA

When I come to Atlanta in 2016, I worked at the Consulate of general of Japan. I was official chef. My expire was 2019 August. After 2020 ,I got some personal chef jobs and volunteer work at the Love is Love farm . Now I still work at same clients and the Love is Love co farm. Read more>>

Xzandria Armstrong

Honestly, my journey has been all about growth and finding my purpose. I started off in the entertainment world — acting in theater and working on film sets. I did plays like God Don’t Like Ugly and Dearly Departed, and then started getting small roles in movies like Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming, Hall Pass, and Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself. Read more>>

Mars

I would say my creativity really bloomed when I moved to Atlanta (almost five years ago) from Cincinnati, Ohio. Living in the Midwest, I started getting tattoos at your typical walk-in shops, which honestly never felt like comfortable environments to me, being non-binary & lesbian. Atlanta showed me an entirely new experience of getting tattoos, where safety, consent, & comfort were the top priority. Read more>>

Jon Hobus

My journey into metallurgy started when I was a Junior in high school. My buddy came up to me after Christmas and asked if I wanted to do some blacksmithing in his back yard through the use of his new propane forge. Read more>>

Alissa Huber

I started a small craft business to satisfy the desire to create. I came up with the name, ‘Fabuliss Finds,’ because I believe you can find something fabulous wherever you go in life and I can make art out of something small and mundane to make it fabulous. I created painted crab shells and wreaths, to car jewelry and jewelry to wear. Read more>>

Nadiiyah Fox

My story started as a vision before it ever became a plan. I’ve always seen the world in color, in texture, in rhythm — every moment sparks a new idea. For a long time, I didn’t know where to place all that creativity, but eventually, I realized my purpose was to bring the things I imagine to life. Read more>>

Amanda Gentile

Art has always been a part of who I am. From as early as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to creating—to finding beauty in the smallest details and telling stories through color, movement, and emotion. Photography eventually became the outlet where all of that came together. Read more>>

Dr. Tahseen Haque

My passion for weddings really took root through a personal journey—coordinating those big, beautiful family celebrations starting back in 2013. I’d done plenty of event logistics for student groups, but the intricate, deeply personal nature of a wedding was a completely different and captivating challenge. Read more>>

Annmarie Grenga

East Cobb Luxury was born out of one simple truth—I realized that people are busy. Really busy. Most of my clients didn’t want another to-do list… they just wanted someone they could trust to walk in, take charge, and make life easier. It all started when I was helping my real estate clients get their homes ready to sell. Read more>>

Steve Gibbs

When I was in my mid-twenties and trying to find my way, I was describing to an acquaintance the type of job I thought would be interesting. At the time, I didn’t even know what a manufacturer’s representative was but, that is what I was describing. My acquaintance told me he knew somebody that was a manufacturer’s rep and he would connect me. Read more>>

Kyla Wilson

From Single Mom to Sky Commander: How God, Grit, and a Jaw-Dropping Question Launched Me into the Cockpit Picture this: I’m a college student juggling two full-time loads—Kennesaw State and Georgia Tech, for Air force ROTC and engineering—while working a demanding full-time Engineering job. Read more>>

Kent Mullinax

It all started with the cartoons I grew up watching on Saturday mornings (mostly Scooby Doo and my man Fat Albert!). Around that same time, I began to notice the stained-glass windows in the churches around Cartersville. With both the cartoons and the glass, the big shapes, bold colors, and heavy black outlines always grabbed my attention. Read more>>

Misha V Stefanuk

I’ve always been involved in playing piano., composing and improvising. And as opportunities arose, i ended up playing and collaborating with some quite amazing artists. Read more>>

Alexis Gregg

I’ve been teaching Art at Wesleyan College 11 years. Over the past three years I’ve also served as the Executive Director of the Wesleyan College Leadership Lab, a downtown art and events space. In this role I’ve helped to connect our campus to the greater community and produced exhibitions, workshops, lecture series, and conferences in collaboration with community partners. Read more>>

Jay Morris

I moved to Smyrna from Atlanta with $500 to my name almost 10 years ago after graduating from UGA to start a job as an AmeriCorps with a refugee resettlement agency. Working in refugee resettlement opened my eyes to challenges that low-income, immigrant, and refugees experience adjusting to life in the US. Read more>>

Mason Douglas

I’m Mason Douglas or ‘Mace’ — born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and now based in Atlanta. My story really starts with energy and purpose. I’ve always been drawn to people — making them laugh, connecting with them, and creating moments that stick. Read more>>

Byron Cliatt

I founded B&B Service Specialist after spending more than 15 years in the HVAC and refrigeration industry. During that time, I gained extensive hands-on experience working with everything from residential systems to large-scale commercial equipment. Read more>>

Andria Wolfolk-Sands

I’ve been doing hair all my life. It started with doing my friends’ and family’s hair, flat ironing, curls, quick weaves, little styles here and there, just because I loved making people feel good. I even did my own hair for every major moment in my life: prom, graduation, birthdays, and even my wedding. Doing hair has always been my peace, my passion, my art. Read more>>

Lewis Texidor

I often say I was born in Florida but raised in Spain. My passion for music developed very early: I started on the drums, pretending to play along to ‘Yes’ records and learning to follow my father’s bandmates jamming to a 12-bar blues in the basement. Read more>>

Latashanna Ransom

Honestly, my story starts way before I ever knew what success even looked like. I was born premature to a 16-year-old single mom in Laurel, Mississippi — and from day one, life made it clear it wouldn’t be easy. The doctors had already counted me out, saying I might not make it, or that if I did, I wouldn’t develop like other kids. Read more>>

Shawn Gregoire

Im Shawn Gregoire. Owner of Tire World  And More. We stared out in Florida in 2008 provided services to the public, by providing New Tires, Used tire, Mechanical work. Moved to Gwinnett County in 2021 and now we provide 24HRS MOBILE SERVICES. We come you. Yes u. Your house, job, roadside etc. If you’re stranded we are here. Read more>>

kemmitria preston

I started my meal prep company business in 2021 focusing on clients with goals to maintain or lose weight which includes various dietary needs. I also provide fresh juices with my services, in 2023 I incorporated natural products such as oils and natural soaps Read more>>

Trenton Greene

My name is Trenton Greene, and I’m proud to be a Political Science major with a lifelong passion for community development and engagement. My journey has always been rooted in service finding ways to uplift others and create real change where it’s needed most. During my time in Atlanta, I had the privilege of serving as the Music Director for Mount Carmel Baptist Church. Read more>>

Iain Patric Smith

I grew up in the era of Harry Potter and the MCU — back when magic spells and superhero suits were basically a lifestyle. Midnight premieres were sacred, and every time the theater lights dimmed, I was convinced I was about to get my Hogwarts letter or a call from Nick Fury. Spoiler: neither happened. Read more>>

ZENA DALY

I’ve been immersed in music since I was a child — it’s truly been the rhythm of my life. I started singing lead in my school choir at just seven years old, and by adolescence I was already winning academic and talent-related awards that encouraged me to keep developing both my artistry and discipline. Read more>>

Codi Dillon

I have been obsessed with music for as long as I can remember. From writing songs as a kid, to learning piano by ear at age 13 and writing my first songs. I fell in love with the idea of storytelling through sound. Music has always been my lifeline, and helped me to escape reality, and truly be myself unapologetically. Read more>>

Monique Glover

LaMonique Cosmetics began as a vision born from passion, purpose, and persistence. I was inspired to create a line of cosmetics that went beyond beauty. One that promoted wellness, confidence, and skin health. By combining aromatherapy and a deep understanding of how vitamins and minerals nourish the skin, I developed products that were healthy conscious. Read more>>

Rio Osiris

I started in southwest Atlanta east point Washington Rd and I migrated all through various Atlanta neighborhoods so predominantly the southside and I started creating songs with friends when I love of godby Rd off old national hwy in college park ga. I popped up at open mics and performed and also at all other branded shows in Atlanta Read more>>

Dr. Trish Dykes-Sullivan

I was a catholic school teacher prior to becoming a mother. My career spanned 13 years, primarily in grades kindergarten through fifth. I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I taught for four years before transferring to Georgia in 2016. I have a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, as well as a principal certification. Read more>>

Christian Green

I grew up in Atlanta and my first jobs in high school were working in various restaurants and service industry jobs. Throughout high school and into college, I continued to grow my career in the restaurant industry while obtaining degrees in Finance and Economics. During that time, I also met my wife and we started growing our family. Read more>>

E-Jay Mills

E-Jay Mills takes all that was great about the old-school singer-songwriter/producer formula and repurposes it into something that is uniquely his own. In 2009, he was a winner at the world-famous Apollo Theater and went on to release two successful independent albums, ‘Who is E-Jay Mills’ (2015), ‘Unbroken’ (2019), zoom Zoom and Questions ( 2023) perform in venues across the U.S. Read more>>